Manitou X-PLODE – Cobalt 276 comparison

What makes for the best performance boat? Is it speed? Handling? How about luxury? Or is it the obvious combination of all of these features? Every boat model offers its own unique features, which can make choosing the right boat a difficult task, especially when considering different types of boats.

The bowrider and pontoon are two entirely different boats, but they are increasingly similar in their performance. This comparison looks at Manitou’s X-PLODE model pontoon—one of the fastest, most comfortable pontoons on the market—and the Cobalt 276—the Bentley of sportboats.

The Manitou X-PLODE sits at the cross-section of speed, luxury and ultimate comfort. Its innovative design is unlike any other pontoon, with sportboat handling specifications, an impressive platform for watersports enthusiasts, a variety of floor plan options, plenty of features for entertaining and more.

Sport handling package

Let’s look at the X-PLODE’s sport handling package. The X-PLODE is a performance boat unlike any other, because it offers a pontoon feel and V-hull characteristics. Manitou’s trademarked triple tube design is what allows for maximum handling and comfort. The design consists of a lowered center tube with a larger diameter and lifting strakes on each side of the three tubes, that when put into a turn, perform much like a fiberglass V-hull. Your guests will experience more comfort and relaxation as they are not pushed to either side of the boat with each turn.

Standard features

Manitou’s X-PLODE offers standard features that most sport boats don’t include standard or even offer as optional features. Manitou includes features of the likes of portable cup holders, a mooring cover, a stern toy box, privacy curtain kit and a color-matched steering wheel. Here is a complete list of standard features:

12 volt outlet and iPod/Mp3 holder and input jack

AM and FM Sony CD player w/ set of 6 speakers

Anodized rub rail w/ stainless steel dock guard

Anodized walls

Bimini anchor light

Carpet – shaw (taupe)

Cooler – 24 can, hard side

Corner castings – stainless steel

Crossmembers – extruded aluminum

Cupholders – portable

Cupholders – stainless steel

Deck – limited lifetime warranty

Depth gauge

Dinette table

Docking lights – LED

Fasteners – stainless steel

Fuel gauge

Furniture – Comfort Touch marine vinyl

Furniture – extended starboard chaise

Gas tank – built-in, 51 gallon

Helm chair – reclines mid-back w/ self-leveling arms

Helm chair – automotive-style slider

Helm – fiberglass w/ Soft Touch automotive-style top

Horn

Hourmeter

Ladder – stainless steel, stern entry

Lift gates

Light – courtesy

Master on/off battery switch

Mooring cleats – 4 regular, stainless steel

Mooring cover

Mooring eyes

Motor mount – aluminum w/ splash shields

Navigation lights – LED
NMMA certified using ABYC standards

Nose cones – anti-spray integrated splash fins

Pontoon tube riser – full-length

Privacy station curtain kit

Seat hinges – hands-free loading

Ski tow bar

Speedometer

Steering wheel – color-matched

Swim platforms – built-in

Tachometer

Trim gauge – w/ pre-rig

Voltmeter

Waste basket

Windscreen

Optional features

Still swooning over the X-PLODE’s awesome dose of standard features? That’s nothing. The available options for this model exceed all expectations. Manitou offers optional features like a portable table capable of rolling within the boat; a galley with sink for entertaining and storing tableware and party favors; and a portable barbeque grill. Other options include a bow filler bench, stainless steel bimini frame and a power bimini for those who aren’t a fan of elbow grease. Here is a complete list of optional features:

BBQ grill

Battery charging system

Acrylic tubes

Bimini top – power arm

Bow gate filler seat bench

Center in-tube storage

Cooler – 24 can, hard side

Cupholders – portable

Dock bumper

Double bimini top – stainless steel

Dual battery smart switch

Enclosure – full

Enclosure – stern

Galley w/ sink

Helm chair – reclining high back w/ self-leveling arms and bolster

Hydraulic pedestal for helm chair

Ladder – versa-trac, 4 step

Lighting – blue LED for cupholders

Lighting – blue LED for exterior

Lighting – track, blue LED for interior

Porta potti

Portable table

Rear fiberglass decking w/ custom floor mats

Ski mirror

Sirius satellite radio

Ski tow storage rack

Vinyl floor – full deck

Deck plans

Manitou also offers a variety of floor plans for their X-PLODE model. The standard deck plan offers classic L-shaped lounge seating along the portside, making adventures at the end of the towline easy and exciting to watch. This design provides three entry gates—at the bow, stern and portside. The standard design is wheelchair accessible through the portside gate and boats plenty of room for comfort. Other features of the standard deck plan include two lounges at the bow, an optional dining table, sunpad at the stern and vast wet storage.

The PT floor plan allows for more intimate gatherings in the bow, with two comfortable bucket seats to port. It also maintains the starboard lounge and L-shaped seating, as well as a sunpad with storage.

Color packages

The 2012 X-PLODE comes with a variety of color and graphic options to allow boat designs to match everyone’s style and taste. Each model is available in a unique design and with neutral or colored walls, matching graphics and color-coordinated interior vinyl.

The standard colors are red, black, burgundy and blue. Learn more about the color packages here.

Pricing

The Manitou X-PLODE starts at $68,988 with standard features, but its final price depends on the preferred packages and features of the buyer.

The Cobalt 276 offers an advantage in sportboat design and performance with a distinct bow layout and desired specifications. This model comes with a host of standard features and optional items for a luxurious bowrider experience. Its lightweight material construction allows for improved efficiency without sacrificing strength.

Standard features

The 276 has a range of standard features not often seen on boats in class. It has a fiberglass liner, swim platform fully integrated into the hull, molded-in graphics and an electric riser for the motor box. More standard features include:

AM/FM CD w/ 6 speakers and amplifier

Aluminum windshield w/ stainless steel cap

Bow scuff plate – stainless steel

Carpet in the cockpit

Depth and water/air temp gauge pkg.

Engine vents – stainless steel

Gel coat liner in engine room

Head – portable

Mini wet bar – in cockpit

Outlet – 12-volt Acc

Porta-potti

Removable ski pylon

Swim ladder – starboard boarding

Swim platform

Wood/dash trim pkg.

Optional features

Cobalt’s 276 excludes a lot of typical standard features and instead offers them as optional features. This is because not everyone would utilize these items for a boat of this size and price range. The 276’s optional features include:

Bimini top

Cockpit cover

Dinette table for cockpit

GPS/Chart

Head – fixed

Porcelain toilet

Teak table – port side

Transom shower

Trim tabs

Windlass

Layout

This model is a big bowrider, with a standard, trailerable beam, high freeboard, massive helm seat, advanced cockpit utility and standing-access to the anchor.

Cockpit

The Cobalt’s cockpit contains wraparound seating, a wide companion seat to port that doubles as a lounger and a seatback that bends forward as the stern sunpad’s backrest. The cockpit also includes double-stitched upholstery, snap-in carpet and mini wet bar.

Helm

The helm seat of this model is huge, comfortable and well-built, able to slide fore and aft. It also has a high back and padded flip-up bolster. Its only disadvantage is its inability to be raised and lowered.

Head

Forward of the companion seat, the head includes a wide door to the compartment and comfortable sitting clearance. There is also a small sink to port, as well as a porta-potti.

Bow

The Cobalt’s bow contains an inclined backrest and U-shaped seating without the forward most part, as to create a bow with more utility. This allows passengers to sit facing forward and for easy access to the anchor while standing.

Warranty

Cobalt offers an exceptional warranty for the 276. There is a 10-year limited warranty on the hull and deck, five-year warranty on the engine, five years on the accessories and three years on the gel coat.

Pricing

The base price of the Cobalt 276, powered by a single MerCruiser 8.2L gas engine and Bravo III dual-prop drive is $120,606.